REGISTERED No.

M - 302
L.-7646
                                                                                                          

The Gazette  
 
of Pakistan
 
 

EXTRAORDINARY
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
 

ISLAMABAD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2018 

PART II

Statutory Notification (S.R.O.)

GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN

PAKISTAN NUCLEAR REGULATORY AUTHORITY

NOTIFICATION

Islamabad, the 15th August, 2018

S.R.O. 1236(I) 2018.-In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 16(2)(b) of the Pakistan
Nuclear Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2001 (III of 2001), Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory
Authority is pleased to make and promulgate the following policy:-
1. Short Title, Extent, Applicability and Commencement.-(1) This policy may be
called the “National Policy on Safe Management of Radioactive Waste, Decommissioning and
Spent Nuclear Fuel in Islamic Republic of Pakistan - (RWP-01/2018)”.
(2) This policy extend to the whole of Pakistan.
(3) This policy shall be applicable to users of ionizing radiation.
(4) This policy shall come into force at once.
2. Definitions.-All the definitions and provisions mentioned in the Pakistan Nuclear
Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2001 shall be applicable to this policy.
3. Interpretation.-The decision of the Chairman PNRA regarding interpretation of
any word or phrase of the policy shall be final and binding.
4. General.-(1) The Government of Pakistan is committed to the safe management
of radioactive waste, decommissioning and spent nuclear fuel of nuclear installations and
radiation facilities in such a manner as to:

Page 1 of 3
 (a) Ensure an acceptable level of protection for human health and environment from
harmful effects of radiation now and in the future;
(b) Avoid imposing undue burdens on future generations taking into account socio-
economic considerations.
(2) The Government of Pakistan shall support the overall development of technical
and regulatory infrastructure for the safe management of radioactive waste, decommissioning
and spent nuclear fuel.
(3) The Government of Pakistan shall provide funds for implementation of this policy
where necessary.
(4) Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) shall formulate national strategies
on safe management of radioactive waste including Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources
(DSRS), decommissioning and spent nuclear fuel for the implementation of this policy.
(5) Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) shall regulate safe management
of radioactive waste including DSRS, decommissioning activities and spent nuclear fuel.
(6) The Government of Pakistan shall ensure the implementation of this policy
through PNRA.
5. Radioactive Waste Management.-(1) The generator shall keep generation of
radioactive waste to the minimum as practicable during operation and decommissioning of
nuclear installations and radiation facilities.
(2) The generator of radioactive waste shall be responsible for safe and secure
management of its radioactive waste including DSRS in accordance with the relevant PNRA
regulations for the purpose. The generator shall handover its Radioactive Waste including DSRS
to designated radioactive waste storage/disposal facilities of PAEC in accordance with waste
acceptance criteria established by designated waste storage/disposal facility operator and shall
pay the cost to PAEC for the safe disposal.
(3) PAEC shall establish radioactive waste disposal facilities at national level for all
types of radioactive waste generated in the country. PAEC shall also manage DSRS which could
not be returned to the supplier(s), orphan radioactive sources and ownerless radioactive waste.
(4) Radioactive waste shall be managed through Radioactive Waste Management
Fund (RWMF) established and maintained by PAEC for long term management of radioactive
waste in the country.
(5) Radioactive waste shall neither be imported nor exported until and unless
specifically permitted by the Government of Pakistan except for DSRS which shall be returned
to the supplier(s) as per national regulations.
(6) The Government of Pakistan shall bear the expenditures for disposal of orphan
sources, ownerless waste and sources cleared by PNRA in accordance with national regulations.

Page 2 of 3
 6. Decommissioning.-(1) Every nuclear installation shall adopt decommissioning
strategy as deemed appropriate considering various aspects and shall complete decommissioning
within due course of time after permanent shutdown/cessation of operation. Whereas, radiation
facilities shall adopt immediate decommissioning as preferred strategy.
(2) Each nuclear installation shall be responsible to establish and maintain its own
decommissioning fund. If a nuclear installation fails to manage financial resources for
decommissioning, even in case of premature shutdown, the Government of Pakistan shall be
ultimately responsible for the provisions of adequate financial and human resources to cover the
costs associated with safe decommissioning.
7. Spent Nuclear Fuel.-(1) The Government of Pakistan realizes that spent nuclear
fuel is a valuable asset. Currently, the spent nuclear fuel is stored at licensed nuclear facilities. A
decision regarding the fate of spent nuclear fuel will be made in due course of time by the
Government of Pakistan.
(2) PAEC shall be responsible for safe and secure management of spent nuclear fuel.

MOHAMMAD SALEEM ZAFAR,

Member (Corporate).

Page 3 of 3